Jesse Klosterboer has stepped down from his position as executive director at Sugar Creek to live into his vocation as a husband, father, and child of God. We are grateful for Jesse’s years of service and contributions to our organization. We wish him all the best and God’s blessings in his discernment of what comes next for him and his family. The Sugar Creek board of directors asks that you keep Jesse in your prayers, as well as keeping the camp in your prayers as we enter into a time of transition and exploration of what comes next in God’s plan for Sugar Creek. Leading the camp in this transition as Interim Executive Director is Maureen Starmack.
November 10, 2026
The Board of Directors
Sugar Creek Bible Camp
13141 Sugar Creek Bible Camp Rd.
Ferryville, WI 54628
Dear Friends in Christ,
In communities of faith, God walks with us through the most interesting of times and seasons. How hopeful it has been to witness the beautiful ministries that happen when we center our days, lives, time and treasures in giving it all to Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. And how freeing it is to be confined by this clear sense of calling, in a work that though imperfect is more enduring and holy than we could ever build apart from the designs of God's Holy Spirit.
It has been my honor and joy to serve you in ministry these past seven years. As we move into the future, walking as Church together in congregations, outdoor spaces and new digital pathways for grace, we continue building each other up in faith and discipleship in the Body of Christ even as roles change. I am confident God can continue providing fully for this ministry, and for each of us in our multiple vocations as we feed the hungry, connect with the lonely, always protect the vulnerable, and in all things seek to serve as witnesses to the Good News.
Recently, after much consideration, my family and I discerned that our greatest impact through my vocations, which has up until now included and yet goes beyond our beloved Sugar Creek, means a change. I therefore respectfully and with gratitude tender my resignation as Executive Director. I do so with confidence in God's ongoing and full provision for this fine ministry. My motivations are in part for the well-being of my health and spirit, and to pursue an opporunity to honor my vocation as a husband and father. For more than ten years, I have struggled with my growing hope to afford the opportunity, as God's call to serve the world might allow, to serve as a more active father to our two amazing, beautiful, brilliant young sons. It is not my strength alone but God's grace, and that of my incredible wife, which allowed me to persevere in lending my time and resources, such as they were, in deference to the call to serve God's people as a whole above all else. This overall call continues for us, even as venues, in due time, must change. Sugar Creek is on track to pursue the evolving direction of program ministries. We have begun enacting strategies for financial sustainability. We are very strong again in the culture of hospitality. And as an interim director is available and ready, it is time.
In the coming months, I will be glad when invited to offer time, knowledge, resources, conversations, and prayers to assist our incoming leadership and transition team.
Looking ahead as we must, courage can be found in remembering the long years of the pandemic, in which God's provision and guidance sustained us in the biggest of challenges. When I began in 2019, I enjoyed working shoulder to shoulder with your predecessors on this board to steer the course through very rough waters. Our journey inspired every one of us that Jesus was present through all the "winds and waves" threatening this ministry seven years ago: a seemingly insurmountable deficit, a global pandemic cutting off nearly half our expected annual income before we secured new funding sources, the wake of turnovers from six program directors and four executive directors' names on the roster in the eight-year span before my arrival, quilt auction income expectations at two-thirds what we now raise, a need for modern technologies, the seventeen years by then of steady decline in summer camp numbers, skyrocketing costs, a downward slope of congregational membership and finances, fast-changing religious culture, increasingly dominant screen-based childhoods, and major internal operational and legal challenges.
Yet we built. With our amazing staff we redoubled our efforts into our Christ-centered program elements, made a thousand facility improvements for hospitality, improved financial accounting and efficiency, procured pro-level photos and videos, improved data management and communication systems, strengthened synod relationships, added new multicultural ministries, and every year inspired growth in individual and congregational giving. In the midst of it all, we witnessed the provision of lifelong blessings to campers, summer staff, retreat guests, volunteers, church leadership, and congregants. These successes are from our God who is never leaving Sugar Creek. Like servant leaders who came before, we trust the seeds of our sacrifices, too, will continue to take root. Jesus is our spiritual foundation, upholding this family to love and serve our neighbors to the end of the age.
I believe in Christian vocations, our roles – even when lifelong – are just relay races. We seldom design the length of each part of our journey. As new visions for Sugar Creek have begun taking shape, what a joy and privilege it has been to be at the tables for such conversations. Strategies for adapting to new challenges are already being put into action, with more in development. I am confident that the processes we began will be shepherded to completion by our staff and board. It seems appropriate now for an interim team to take the reins, transitioning our organization toward emerging realities in our Church and the world. God is still cultivating good soil in this sacred place from a new angle, for the same harvest, in which the Holy Spirit is already bringing new life to God's children in abundance.
I am so grateful to have worn this yoke alongside you on the storied trails of Sugar Creek. God's love was shown to me (and I hope, through me) in so many heartfelt testimonies, lifegiving relationships, communal prayers, faithful giving, and countless worship songs in churches, lodges, and campfires. From the pure smiles of young campers to the humbling generosity of volunteers, the "God stories" you help to cultivate reveal images of the Lord's prayer being answered. You are more than nonprofit staff, board or supporters. In Christ, we are ambassadors on behalf of the Realm of Grace.
My special thanks for the warmth and spirit of welcome among so many pastors and supporters who regularly included me, by grace, not only as a representative of your camp but as a peer and a colleague. Bible camp and congregations are one ministry of one Church. You affirmed this, and it meant everything to me. Always, at each conference, worship, and coffee shop, you moved me toward greater centeredness, humility, and diligence. Being with you will forever be a reminder to me of what life together can be. I pray that in time, there may be more to come. Apart from my marriage, your inclusion of me has been among the greatest honors of my life.
Thank you. God's enduring peace be active with you all.
Your brother in our faith,
Jesse Klosterboer
Executive Director, 2019-2026